“Fart Opera” Scene Omitted from ‘Barbie,’ Greta Gerwig Reveals Why

OVERVIEW

With an astonishing record-breaking run at the box office, ‘Barbie’ has grossed around $500 million in under a week. Despite being a comedy goldmine, the movie successfully weaves in profound themes and emotionally impactful narratives. The film’s director, Greta Gerwig, recently disclosed that a humorous fart gag was eventually dropped from the film.

Having one of the most successful box office weeks in recent history, ‘Barbie’ is shattering numerous records. Based on the legendary Mattel toy franchise, the film has reached nearly half a billion dollars in less than a week since its release. This spectacular performance can be attributed to the rave reviews and strong word of mouth it received. Directed by Greta Gerwig, ‘Barbie’ is not just a financial success but also one of the most enjoyable films in recent years. The film delivers a constant stream of laughter to audiences, though it originally intended to include a substantial fart joke, which was eventually removed.

In a recent IndieWire interview, Gerwig and the film’s editor, Nick Houy, expressed their initial intent to incorporate a fart joke into ‘Barbie.’ Gerwig said, “We’ve always aimed to include a good fart joke, but we’ve never achieved it. We had what was essentially a fart opera at some point in Barbie. I found it extremely amusing. However, the opinion was not shared universally.” Houy added, “It was misplaced. We need to integrate it into a more pivotal narrative moment in the future.” They went on to discuss how ‘Barbie’ differed from Gerwig’s other films. Houy noted, “Barbie was much more of a comedy than Lady Bird and Little Women,” referencing the more extensive test screening process for the film. He concluded by saying, “We thought, ‘Let’s present it to the audience and see how they react.’ Everyone’s reaction varies, as does each screening, and we’ve definitely learned that it’s crucial to give things a fair shot before deciding. Once it’s clear something isn’t working, it needs to be removed.”

Barbie: A Riotous Narrative With a Sincere Message

While it’s amusingly disappointing that the prospective “fart opera” was omitted from ‘Barbie’—a scenario which brings to mind the hilarious gas battle from Scooby-Doo (2002)—this coming-of-age tale pushes the boundaries of its PG-13 rating with its comedic edge. Be it a humorous nod to Zack Snyder’s Justice League, allusions to horror classics like The Shining, or Ken and Barbie’s independent mental meltdowns, it’s difficult not to erupt in laughter during this whimsical adult adventure. It’s a finely crafted satire, yet its clever humor doesn’t overshadow Barbie’s emotionally potent and thought-provoking narrative about self-acceptance. In the shared laughter and camaraderie of a darkened theater, ‘Barbie’ moves audiences to the tear-inducing realization that everyone is “Kenough.” A fart opera might have detracted from this heartfelt message.

Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

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Considering its extraordinary success, the film stands a strong chance of surpassing the billion-dollar threshold. In merely a week, it has already exceeded the lifetime gross of other 2023 summer blockbusters like The Flash, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. As we anticipate Barbie’s next astonishing milestone, you can watch the film’s trailer below before your next viewing.

‘Barbie’ is now showing in theaters.

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